TROPHY Active Protection System

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TROPHY (IDF designation מעיל רוח, lit. "Wind Coat") is a protective shield system for both light and heavy armored vehicles that intercepts and destroys incoming missiles and rockets with a shotgun-like blast just before they hit. TROPHY was developed by RAFAEL together with Israel Aircraft Industries' Elta Group. The system is an "active protection system" (APS). The developers claim it is a major milestone in weapons design. They would have a system like TROPHY reduce or eliminate the need for heavy armor for combat vehicles.

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[edit] TROPHY Design

Currently, the system is designed for the Stryker light armored vehicle and for the Israeli Merkava main battle tank. The design includes a F\G band fire control radar of four flat-panel antennas mounted on the vehicle. When properly mounted, the radar field of view is 360°. When a weapon is fired at the vehicle, the internal computer uses the signal from the incoming weapon and calculates an approach vector. Once the incoming weapon is fully classified, the computers calculate the optimal time and angle to fire the neutralizers. The response comes from two launchers installed on the vehicle, one on each side. The launchers have a pivoting/rotating ability and thus are able to fire in any direction the computer requires. The launchers fire the neutralizing agents which are usually small metal pellets like shotgun shot. The system is designed to have a very small kill zone so the lethality outside that zone is small. People standing next to the vehicle should not be affected by the firing of the TROPHY system.

The system has an automatic reloading mechanism that can handle multiple attacks, and can simultaneously engage several threats, while the armored vehicle is on the move.

[edit] Weapons TROPHY neutralizes

The system is designed to work against all types of anti-tank missiles and rockets, such as the ubiquitous rocket propelled grenades. The shield system also works against multiple threats and while the vehicle is in motion. Newer versions of the system include a reload feature for multiple firings.

[edit] Advantages of TROPHY

One of the main advantages of the TROPHY system is the possibility of reducing the heavy armor now required to defend vehicles. This means much lighter tanks and battle taxis that could be airlifted to future battlefields. It also opens the way to greater use of armored vehicles inside urban areas where bridges and buildings often do not support the weight of heavy main battle tanks. Use of TROPHY on the Stryker vehicle will negate the need for the heavy "slat" armor and the vehicle will be able to fit into a C-130 in full battle ready condition. Currently, "slat" armor must be removed before the vehicle is loaded into the plane and reattached at the destination. In addition, the newer, smaller size will enable the vehicle to negotiate urban areas currently inaccessible to a fully armored vehicle.

[edit] Resistance from the US Army

MSNBC has reported that there is resistance against incorporating TROPHY in the US Army. The US has contracted Raytheon to develop an equivalent system, which will not be ready before 2011 at the earliest, whereas TROPHY could be deployed much sooner. According to MSNBC's sources, the reason for not adopting TROPHY for now is that it would remove the need for the Raytheon program, causing it to be canceled. [1]

[edit] Fiction

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[edit] See also

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